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Since President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration, five of the world’s richest men have collectively lost a jaw-dropping $209 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This financial hit affected big names like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault, and Sergey Brin.
Who Lost How Much?
Here’s how the losses break down:
- Mark Zuckerberg (Meta CEO) – Lost $5 billion
- Bernard Arnault (LVMH CEO) – Lost $5 billion
- Sergey Brin (Google Co-founder) – Lost $22 billion
- Jeff Bezos (Amazon Founder) – Lost $29 billion
- Elon Musk (Tesla & SpaceX CEO) – Took the biggest hit with a loss of $148 billion
Musk’s losses were largely due to Tesla’s stock price plummeting from $404 to $263 per share. Analysts believe this is connected to Musk’s increasing political involvement, especially his new role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory group in Trump’s administration focused on federal spending.
How Musk’s Political Move Is Affecting Tesla
Musk’s close ties with Trump are making some Tesla investors nervous. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives noted that Musk’s deep dive into politics might damage Tesla’s brand. However, he estimated that less than 5% of Tesla’s global sales are actually at risk.
Even so, Tesla shareholders aren’t happy. Many have criticized Musk for not prioritizing Tesla over his political ambitions. The company is already facing challenges from regulatory scrutiny, supply chain issues, and increasing competition from other electric vehicle manufacturers. Some analysts argue that Musk’s focus on politics is only distracting him from fixing Tesla’s ongoing problems, which is further driving down its stock price.
The Billionaire Guest List at Trump’s Inauguration
Trump’s second inauguration attracted some of the richest people in the world, with a combined net worth of $1.35 trillion. Some of the most high-profile attendees included:
- Elon Musk ($447 billion)
- Jeff Bezos ($249 billion)
- Mark Zuckerberg ($218 billion)
- Bernard Arnault ($194 billion)
- Sergey Brin ($165 billion)
- Bill Gates ($163 billion)
These billionaires come from various political backgrounds, making their presence especially interesting. Some believe it signals a shift in Silicon Valley’s political loyalties, with tech leaders looking to get closer to Trump in hopes of securing policy advantages.
Tech’s Growing Support for Trump
Many tech leaders at the event weren’t just guests; they were financial backers of Trump’s campaign. Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg were among those who made major contributions to his re-election effort. Additionally, Amazon, Meta, and Apple each donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund.
A surprising revelation was that Jeff Bezos—who owns The Washington Post—reportedly prevented the newspaper from endorsing Trump’s opponent, Kamala Harris. This move was widely seen as an indirect show of support for Trump.
Some insiders believe these billionaires are aligning with Trump to influence key policies on artificial intelligence, data privacy, and corporate taxation. Keeping the administration on their side could help them avoid regulations that might hurt their businesses.
Trump’s Surprising Cryptocurrency Windfall
Trump himself has also benefited financially since his election win. A Trump-themed cryptocurrency, which he allegedly invested 80% of his net worth into, has skyrocketed in value. This has created hundreds of new millionaires overnight.
Critics worry that Trump’s financial ties to the crypto market could be a huge conflict of interest. His policy decisions could directly affect the value of the cryptocurrency, potentially setting a dangerous precedent where government actions favor specific financial investments.
Trump, Musk, and the Ukraine Controversy
In a separate controversy, Musk recently sparked outrage by calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “evil” on social media. This came after Trump criticized Zelensky for saying that the Ukraine-Russia war isn’t close to ending.
Musk also suggested that Zelensky should accept amnesty in a neutral country to facilitate a peaceful resolution. This statement followed Trump’s decision to halt all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, a move that was welcomed by Russia.
These developments have triggered international backlash, with European leaders expressing concerns over how Trump’s foreign policy might shape the global geopolitical landscape. Some worry that cutting off aid to Ukraine could embolden Russia, escalating tensions even further.
What’s Next for These Billionaires?
Even though they’ve lost billions, some experts believe these billionaires could eventually benefit from Trump’s administration. His policies on deregulation and tax cuts are generally pro-business, which could help them recover their losses over time.
However, not everyone is convinced. Some argue that the market turbulence these billionaires are experiencing might not be temporary. If their political entanglements continue to raise concerns among investors, their fortunes could remain volatile.
Ultimately, the coming months will reveal whether these financial setbacks are just a short-term dip—or a lasting consequence of their involvement with Trump.
